The Washington Football Team has concluded its first week of training camp. Here are some early thoughts from the first week of training camp.
As the calendar turns to August, the Washington Football Team concludes its first week of training camp. All 32 NFL teams’ training camps are at least a week old and there will be a preseason game this Thursday. Football is back.
As the Washington Football Team settles back into Ashburn, I have some early thoughts from training camp to share. As many fans are assuredly aware of, as usual, there was some off-the-field drama that occurred for the Washington Football Team.
The rate of vaccinations for the Washington Football Team was the main storyline at the conclusion of Week 1. Four, maybe five, depending on how you view Cornelius Lucas, starters were placed on the COVID-19 list for Washington. Much like the rest of the nation, this could become a major problem for Washington.
However, this piece today will be about football. It will consist of thoughts that occurred between the white lines, not about positive tests or contact tracing. I am sure that is what most would rather read about anyways.
So with the acknowledgment of the biggest takeaway from Washington’s training camp thus far, let’s dive into some of the other major takeaways.
1. There is no Quarterback competition
Ron Rivera likes to remind reporters and fans in his press conferences that there is a competition at every position. That is a good philosophy to have. As the old saying goes, “Iron Sharpens Iron.” And having competitions makes it so no player can get too complacent.
However, at some positions, there simply isn’t competitions. And at the most important position, quarterback, there certainly is not one in Ashburn. In an interview on 106.7 The Fan following the 2020 season, Rivera spoke about how he regrets not having an authentic quarterback competition entering the season.
That comment made fans and reporters alike believe there would be a true quarterback competition. However, as the offseason waned on, that competition has begun to seem like one that is in name only. For starters, Ryan Fitzpatrick’s salary cap hit, $10 million, is around five times more than the other three quarterbacks on the roster combined.
When in doubt, follow the money. And through one week of training camp, that theory has proven to be true. Fitzpatrick has looked sharper than the other quarterbacks, as he is already gaining a noticeable rapport with star wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
Fitzpatrick has gotten almost all of the first-team reps, which, again, is another key trend to follow when discussing position battles.
Taylor Heinicke has had some good moments in training but nothing to truly challenge Fitzpatrick for the QB1 crown. And with Kyle Allen re-aggravating his injured ankle, that all but takes Allen out of the QB competition.
For Ryan Fitzpatrick to not be the starting quarterback come Week 1, something unforeseen would have to happen. Either Heinicke would have to be so good in preseason that the coaching staff cannot possibly make him the backup, or Fitzpatrick will have to completely fall on his face in the coming weeks.
Both of those are rather unlikely. Write it in pen: Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the Washington Football Team’s starting quarterback against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1.
2. Landon Collins is healthy and explosive
Landon Collins fully recovered from his Achilles injury in 9 months. A typical recovery process takes about a year. The fact that Landon Collins is even on the practice field to start training camp is an impressive feat by itself.
Watching him run around and cut at the level he has been in training camp is even more impressive. Collins himself has said he feels like he did before the injury. He even said he feels better.
In the final practice in Richmond, Collins nabbed two interceptions to cap off a stellar showing. A leaner, more explosive Collins could be a welcome addition to a defense for Washington that projects to be a very potent one.
The talk of the offseason was seventh-round sensation Kam Curl, and rightfully so, however, Collins is attempting to remind everyone why he was paid a lucrative contract in 2019.
With that said, it is hard to glean too much from safety play in padless practices. How good Collins is will be truly determined when the pads are put on and even more so in live action.
Still, it is an accomplishment to be celebrated that Collins looks as good as he does coming off a gruesome injury.
3. The Wide Receiver group is deep
A capable wide receiver will be cut at the conclusion of training camp, that is for sure. If Curtis Samuel comes back from his groin injury (and the COVID list) before Week 1, four receivers are all but locks to make the final 53-man roster: Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown, and Adam Humphries.
Cam Sims is also a “soft lock” due to what he showed in 2020, but he still has more to prove. So, that makes essentially five wide receivers already locked in. That leaves Kelvin Harmon, Antonio Gandy-Golden, Dax Milne, DeAndre Carter, Steven Sims, Tony Brown, and Isaiah Wright battling for the final spots.
And they are not making it an easy decision. Harmon has had an impressive camp, flashing his sure hands, bringing down almost every catch. Gandy-Golden has done much of the same, as both he and Harmon are similar players. Seventh-round pick, Dax Milne, seems destined for the practice squad but he is another sure-handed slot receiver to keep an eye on.
And DeAndre Carter is making it hard to keep him off the roster with his positional flexibility. Even Steven Sims is putting together multiple good days after a shaky 2020, although it seems Carter is higher on the totem pole than Sims Jr.
The question the coaching staff must answer is how many wide receivers will they keep? Will they keep the usual six wide receivers or will they make room for a seventh to keep a returner? The answer for who makes the roster will most likely come in the preseason.
And it will not be how good they are as receivers, that will separate the grouping. As the fifth and sixth receivers on the roster, they will likely get minimal touches in the real games, barring injuries. Their real impact will come on special teams. The receivers with the best chance to make the roster as backend wideouts are the ones that serve as assets on special teams.
DeAndre Carter is making such a strong impression in that regards so far. Head Coach Ron Rivera spoke highly of his positional flexibility to be a slot and outside receiver, as well as a duel kick returner. If Carter proves to be sure-handed as a return man in the preseason, solving a critical flaw in 2020 for Washington, he may just have himself a spot on the roster.
As an afterthought entering Richmond, he exited by making a name for himself. Most fans should acclimate themselves with DeAndre Carter, because he may play a key role in 2021.
Nonetheless, a capable wide receiver will most likely be cut. That is a stark contrast from years past. Players like Harmon and Cam Sims used to be the team’s best receivers. Now they are battling for a roster spot.
That is a clear sign of the overhaul the wide receiver room had in the 2021 offseason. The battle for the final wide receiver spots will be one to watch as training camp unfolds.
Have more training camp observations to share? Leave them in the comments below!